Massena merchants pleased with 2012 holiday shopping season

MASSENA  The 2012 holiday shopping season was a good one, according to local merchants, who said this years sales were the best theyve been in recent years.

Our business was excellent, said Jacquelin J. Sheehan, who together with her husband, John P. Phil, owns and operates Phil & Jackies gift shop on Main Street. It was up from last year. People were helping to support the local businesses and most of the time the shopping weather was really good, so that made it easier.

But Mrs. Sheehan said she did not think brisk sales were a sign of a recovering economy.

I dont think the economy is getting better, she said. I think its because we try to stay in a medium to low price range and offer services like gift wrapping. We also had a lot of in-house orders like ornaments, mugs and shirts. We also try to carry Made in the USA products.

Mr. Sheehan said he thinks its those gifts that youre not going to find anywhere else that really drives their business.

Personalization keeps us going, he said, adding that as they enter year four at their new location, more and more people are finding them.

After three and a half years, people are realizing were here, he said.

Shannon Peets-Hendricks, who co-owns Peets Jewelers with several other members of her family, said their holiday season also was a good one.

This was one of the busier seasons weve had in the last couple of years, she said. Sales were definitely up.

While she expected this year to be busier, she said, You never know from year to year. Some people are starting to spend more and others are making more of an effort to shop local.

Three other new Massena merchants from St. Lawrence Centre mall also were pleased with their sales.

While Memory Lane isnt exactly a new business, this year was its first holiday season without longtime owner Karen B. Osoway, who sold the business to Peggy Cruz and died in 2012.

Ms. Cruz, who had a booth in the shop and worked there before buying the business, said this year the store held a holiday sale, which might have helped. One thing she did notice was the types of purchases people were making.

Furniture was a mover, she said, adding that in the past the store didnt sell a lot of furniture.

Ms. Cruz also said she saw a lot of new faces this year.

A lot of people who have never been in before came in, she said.

One of the malls newest tenants, although a seasonal one, was Twisted Turtle.

Owner Jessika T. Furnace said the location at the mall was so busy, she actually had to close her original Potsdam location.

It got very, very busy about three weeks before Christmas and I couldnt get any more orders in, she said.

While the Twisted Turtles St. Lawrence Centre location was a seasonal one, Ms. Furnace said, she thinks her time in the mall was time well spent.

I think we got a lot of new customers for our Potsdam location, she said, adding shes looking forward to returning to the mall for the 2013 holiday shopping season.

As long as theyll have us, Ill be there, she said.

Ms. Furnace also acknowledged that this year was a learning experience and next year, shes looking forward to a great holiday season at both locations.

It was our first year in the mall and it was definitely a learning experience, she said. Next year well have enough inventory to have both stores open during the holiday season.

This year also marked the first holiday season at St. Lawrence Centre for the Mustard Tin, and the stores owner, Linda Dalton, said things went well. Im happy with what I did, she said.

Im new here, so a lot of people discovered me, she added. They were asking me if I was just here for the holidays and I told them, No, Im here all the time.

Commenting rules:

Stick to the topic of the article/letter/editorial.

When responding to issues raised by other commenters, do not engage in personal attacks or name-calling.

Comments that include profanity/obscenities or are libelous in nature will be removed without warning.

Violators' commenting privileges may be revoked indefinitely. By commenting you agree to our full Terms of Use.